Chapter 1 I Won't Marry Him

"I won't marry him!" Ivy Russell's scream cracked through the living room as the vase beside her exploded against the floor. She faced her father with raw panic in her voice and said, "Owen White can barely move on his own, and everyone knows he's been sick for years. They say he's strange-looking too. How could you expect me to throw my life away for that?"

Cade Russell's fury surged, and his hand shot out as he shouted, "Do you even understand what the White family represents in Aresrora? If you marry into their household, they'll pour money into the Russell Group, and we'll rise again! Use your head for once!"

Failure had hounded the Russell business for years, with every project crushed by competition, leaving them drowning in debt. If things continued this way, bankruptcy would be the only outcome.

Cade had fought half a lifetime to take charge of the Russell Group, and he refused to watch everything collapse in front of him.

Under normal circumstances, their family would never have been worthy of a connection to the White family.

But Owen's grandmother held an old connection to a Russell elder, and with Owen's declining health, she was desperate to find him a wife. That desperation had dragged the Russells into this arrangement.

There was no escaping it.

Cade clenched his jaw and fixed Ivy with a hard glare. "I've given you a comfortable life for over twenty years. It's about time you did something for me in return."

Those words struck Ivy like a slap, and she blurted out, "Dad, you raised Anna for twenty years too! Why isn't she the one marrying Owen?"

Cade stiffened at the mention of Ivy's half-sister, Anna Russell, and unease flickered across his face.

Anna had survived a crash with her mother when she was thirteen, and her mother had died shielding her.

That accident had left Anna with lasting brain damage, leaving her mind stuck at the level of a young child.

The mention of Anna instantly darkened Cade's mood. "With her state, sending Anna into the White family would only bring disaster to us!"

Ivy refused to back down. "Why make it complicated? The Whites just want a Russell daughter. They never said it had to be me!"

Worried that her father would shut her down, Ivy pleaded, "Please, Dad! Owen isn't going to live much longer anyway. If Anna goes through with the wedding, we'll still get the investment, and I'll be free to marry someone else rich. That would help your business even more!"

Cade paused, her reasoning striking a chord deep inside him.

Getting the White family money was one thing, but once Owen was gone, any future advantage would vanish unless they played it smart.

Compared to Ivy, Anna was a liability. After all, she had been stuck with a brain injury for years, and no one expected her to recover.

If Anna married into the White family, it seemed like a risk-free move.

Besides, everyone who knew the details of the past was gone-except one.

Cade believed what he had done remained a secret, with every loose end tied up.

He was on the verge of agreeing when a sudden presence at the stairs made him jolt.

Anna stood silently on the landing, dressed in what used to be a white dress, now turned grey with time and neglect.

Her face bore the stains of wandering outside, and she hugged a battered rabbit doll to her chest, fixing her gaze on Cade with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine.

For a brief second, Cade felt an inexplicable dread, as if Anna might lunge at him.

Anger won out, and he shot to his feet. "What are you doing standing there? Come here right now!"

Anna clung to her battered rabbit, inching forward with downcast eyes. "Daddy... I'm hungry."

She barely made it to the couch before Cade snapped his belt free and brought it down hard. "You're worthless! All you care about is eating!"

"Ah!" A shriek broke from Anna as she curled into herself on the floor, arms covering her head. "Daddy! Please stop! I'll behave... I promise I won't eat anymore."

No trace of sympathy crossed Cade's face. The belt kept falling, leaving angry red marks that seeped through her faded dress.

Jemma Russell, Ivy's mother, hurried down the staircase, alarm growing as she watched Cade's rage spiral. If he kept this up, Anna might be too battered to go through with the wedding. Putting on her softest tone, Jemma reached out to catch Cade's arm. "Honey, she's only asking for food. There's no need to be so cruel."

She motioned for a servant. "Bring Anna something to eat, and make sure her medicine is waiting in her room."

"Yes, Mrs. Russell." With a quick glance, the servant hurried off to carry out her instructions.

Turning back to Anna, Jemma offered a gentle smile. "Annie, your father's just under a lot of pressure because of work. Don't hold it against him, alright? Let's go upstairs, sweetheart."

Still shaking, Anna nodded, forcing herself to agree. "I'll be good... I won't be mad with Daddy."

Jemma shoved open the attic door, her nose wrinkling as she fanned away the stench that met her.

Boxes and broken furniture crowded the small, shadowy space, with nothing but a grimy mat to sleep on and an unpleasant odor clinging to the air.

She spun around and nearly yelped when Anna's vacant eyes met hers in the gloom. "Can't you give someone a warning before you sneak up like that?"

Anna edged closer, reaching out for Jemma's sleeve. "Jemma."

Jemma sidestepped her as though Anna's touch might infect her.

Now that they were alone, her mask of tenderness fell away without hesitation.

A servant soon appeared, balancing a tray with a steaming cup of water and two pills. "Mrs. Russell, the medicine's here."

Jemma brightened, motioning Anna over with a sweet smile. "Come here, Annie. Take the medicine with water."

Anna stepped forward without protest and grabbed the pills, but the moment she grasped the cup, the heat seared her hands. "Ow! It's burning me!"

Jemma's grip clamped around Anna's wrists, pinning her in place. Her tone dripped with sweetness, but her eyes glittered with cruelty. "You know you're the most obedient, Annie. Take your meds now."

"I'll listen... I'll do what you say." Anna lifted the scalding cup with trembling hands that turned red beneath the heat. She bit back tears and managed a smile for Jemma's benefit. "I'll finish it-every drop!"

A cold satisfaction flickered in Jemma's gaze as she watched the burns spread across Anna's fingers. In her mind, Anna was useful for now-otherwise, she would have let her rot in this attic long ago.

Anna put the medicine in her mouth, and as she forced the cup to her lips, Jemma's eyes sparkled at the prospect of Anna suffering through scalding water.

No matter what, Anna and her mother had always belonged under her heel.

Then, without warning...